Illumina Inc. has entered into a multi-year supply agreement with Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (LabCorp). The agreement gives LabCorp expanded rights to use Illumina next-generation sequencing (NGS) and microarray equipment and supplies to develop, validate, and introduce laboratory-developed tests to clinicians in the United States and Canada.

Under the terms of the agreement, LabCorp will be able to purchase a broader range of Illumina products for the development of new diagnostic tools in multiple specialties, including genetic testing, oncology, transplant medicine, and forensics, in addition to other applications. LabCorp is currently using the technology in connection with new human leukocyte antigen (HLA) tests that it plans to introduce this year.

“The Illumina next-generation sequencing platform gives LabCorp the flexibility to develop a wide range of molecular tests,” said Mark Brecher, MD, LabCorp’s chief medical officer. “The HLA typing assays we are developing on Illumina’s family of NGS platforms will provide physicians with the ability to more accurately match bone marrow donors to recipients.”

“We are excited to support LabCorp’s ability to offer more NGS-based tests such as its HLA offering,” said Nicholas J. Naclerio, Illumina’s senior vice president for corporate and venture development. “Illumina is committed to making NGS broadly available for clinical laboratory testing, and this agreement with LabCorp significantly expands the number of clinicians and patients who will have access to improved diagnostic tools and information.”

For more information visit Illumina.